HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — A 26-year-old woman died after crashing into a pole while running from a traffic stop on Friday afternoon, police say.
The crash happened just after noon at the intersection of Hampton Roads Center Parkway and Big Bethel Road, per Virginia State Police.
Police say they originally tried to stop the woman’s Chrysler 300 sedan on Interstate 64 West after she was spotted at a high rate of speed. She then accelerated and got off I-64 at the Hampton Roads Center Parkway exit.
When a trooper approached at the intersection of Big Bethel Road, police say the woman accelerated and tried to make a right turn. That’s when she lost control of the vehicle and struck a traffic light pole on the driver’s side.
Police later identified the driver as 26-year-old Diamond Elizabeth Brooks, of Pickett’s Lane in Newport News.
Virginia State Police are continuing to investigate. The Hampton Commonwealth Attorney was also at the scene assisting with the investigation.